Totally agree, what's the point of getting rid of a load of average players to just fill the spaces with more average players. Why not just settle for survival this year, ( there will be no miracles in 2017 ) get some youngsters in and lets see what they are about, we can start panic buying if need be when we get desperate, and personally i don't see things getting as desperate as last season.

O'Brien yes - Welham no!

If we are looking at that standard it makes you wonder if/why we didn't go for someone like Ben Crooks or Iain Thornley instead... similar standard with potential to be better.

Just looked at Welham's stats for Hull Kr. He looks good in most areas but his tackling is woeful. Every season for Hull Kr he has missed approx 20% of his tackles which probable means 4/5 every game. At 29 years of age I am not sure our coaches could do anything much to improve this.

We did try for Ian Thornley but he rejected us for Catalans. We have tried to sign Crooks before also a few years back.

I do think sometimes people do make rumours up as it says Us, Leigh and Cas. Why would Cas let Crooks go to Leigh on loan then wan't to sign Kris Welham? I know they lost Solomona but neither Crooks or Welham are wingers. Leigh have signed James Clare and would want Welham as well?

If we signed O Brien it could allow Hinchy to loose.

Strong rumours Gaskell will be no where near fit for the start of the season.

isnt this what we did last season??!

youngsters came in, we still lost then panic bought?!

No youngsters came in, did well
Panic bought and disn't give them a good run instead throwing anyone else into the positions we needed

Andersons hallmark had to be shuffling 7 players around to account for one injury

did well, still not good enough to get the wins we needed

too many playing all at once not the way to do it, need to be blooded slowly but we had no choice with injuries

The problem last season wasn't the youngsters

It was too many changes and panic coaching. From day one panic was obvious and infected the club

Dead right.

never said the youngsters were the problem last season

so we can now add Mellor to the list

gaskell given the number 4 shirt

A good call imo

He had the qualities of a powerful rangy runner and has some good skill, I expect more of a skillful centre than a bludgeon that Wardle was

Heard he's already damaged his ankle in training, hope I'm proved wrong but suspect he will spend most of the season injured.

Yep ive heard both Gaskell and Mamo will not feature until March. This gives an opportunity to Sam Wood/Alex Mellor/Jake Wardle to stake a claim for the centre spot and McIntosh/Simpson for the full back slot in the first 3-5 games.

If Brough or Brierley get injured before or in the first couple of games we are screwed!

mamo has already stated he will miss the first 4/5 games

dont know about gaskell

chance for others to stake a claim!

2016 again 2 key men out before season starts . down to 2 hb and 1 hooker . letting ellis go to HKR without a replacement looks a very bad bit of busness

Where on earth did you get that from

got a hooker in now

just what we needed still think we a thin if gaskill is out these is lack of cover at hb if brough or brieley get injured we have problems

He had a good 4n too

Didn't Gaskell have a foot problem in December and now a hamstring problem?

Well who knows- could be true or could be rumour. The club have said nothing.

Given the latest signing of O'Brien which allows Hinchliffe to move to back row I would move Symonds to left centre with Murphy on the wing. Gaskell as a backup player. Looking pretty good now I think.